In many conveyor systems, worn coatings cause unnecessary failures – whether in the food and beverage industry or in material handling. For this purpose, igus offers powder coatings made of high-performance polymers called iglidur coating, which make surfaces significantly more wear-resistant and durable. To make it easier for users to retrofit existing systems, the company now also offers coated plates and wire mesh that can be flexibly cut to size and installed. The range is complemented by IC-05PF, the first PTFE‑free coating, which is intended in particular for applications with high hygiene requirements.
Wireless scanner in different variants for multiple operating scenarios
Ultra-thin barrier layers on packaging effectively protect food and medicine from oxygen, moisture, and contaminants. The Film-Inspect sensor, developed at Fraunhofer IPM, measures the quality of these barriers during the coating process, enabling process control for the first time.
Flexible adaptation to different user requirements
Polyurethanes (PUR) are found in many products, such as upholstered furniture, foam or insulation materials, flooring, paints and even medical catheter tubes. The production of these high-demand plastics, however, relies on toxic isocyanate. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed an alternative production process using harmless dicarbamate.
Valuable energy is lost in pressure reduction stations, exhaust steam pipes and condensation systems. With Energify system, the company CFT GmbH offers a simple and robust solution for the cost-effective conversion of even slight pressure differences into energy. This saves electricity costs and lowers CO₂ emissions. The system performance is controlled precisely with sliding gate valves from Schubert & Salzer.
Easily adaptable illumination and range definition via IO-Link
In the production of pet food, Fessmann relies on JUMO technology when it comes to temperature monitoring and control.
The Packaging Competence Centre (PCC) is a joint venture between packaging machinery manufacturer Gerhard Schubert GmbH and Berlin-based packaging consultancy Berndt+Partner Group. The new organisation brings together experts in the fields of regulation, packaging design, materials and automation technology to support manufacturers to develop and implement sustainable packaging.
A hydrogen-fuelled kiln test rig is helping brick and ceramics manufacturers to support the energy transition. In a first for the UK, a kiln and furnace manufacturer has partnered with flow control specialist Bürkert to manage the precise and reliable control of hydrogen. The result for end users is increased production quality and confidence in the transition to hydrogen, enabling a more sustainable process.
Robust and radiation resistant optical systems for nuclear inspection applications
Cleaning systems of industrial large filter systems are often poorly regulated and therefore consume large amounts of expensive compressed air. That´s over now: A new feature of the solenoid valve controller HE 5750 of AXXERON HESCH electronics, allows for an exact setting of the cleaning pressure. We asked the Managing Director, Werner Brandis: How does pre-pressure control work exactly and what are further advantages for the industry?
Today, the majority of consumer goods and everyday items are made from petroleum-based plastics. In Germany alone, around six million tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year. About half of this is mechanically recycled into new materials; the rest is used for energy recovery. The incineration of this waste results in the release of CO2, a greenhouse gas. It is therefore important to keep more plastics in the material cycle for climate and environmental reasons. Eight Fraunhofer Institutes are developing new ideas and processes to significantly improve the mechanical recycling rate of plastics as part of the Waste4Future flagship project.
With the increase in hydrogen mobility, the network of refuelling stations is densifying. The sector is investing heavily into the infrastructure. This creates a significant demand for measurement technology, mainly to ensure the safety of the refuelling process.
When older equipment starts to affect the output from the power plant – operators need to act fast, to avoid production risks escalating. This is especially true for legacy pumps. However, sourcing new units to fit the surrounding infrastructure and application requirements of the plant can be challenging.
Cocoa plays an important role in Brazilian agriculture. However, the fruit of the cacao tree (cocoa pods) is prone to fungal diseases. pest infestations are responsible for crop losses of up to 40 percent worldwide. In collaboration with the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV are looking to establish new ways of using damaged cocoa pods as part of the Damaged Beans project.
The distribution logistics in food retail are changing: To overcome the challenges posed by online retail, more and more retailers are using micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs), meaning that orders are picked in proximity to the customer. The sensor technology needed for the order picking must meet certain requirements. Leuze offers tailored solutions for this application.
For micrometer-precise distance measurement – even in the harshest environments
In addition to the on-the-spot identification of more than 30 plastic types, PET-A can now also be distinguished from PET-G with a handheld device
Support for control processes in modern plant automation
Energy-saving motor/inverter solutions for new installations and retrofitting
Depth filter sheets with activated carbon
With vibration recording acceleration sensor for predictive maintenance
Variety of sizes for different size of applications and plants
Association brings together plant operators, suppliers and service providers with the aim of fast and easy information exchange
Integrated cameras can be switched between 0° and 90° to enable very fast inspection results.
CAN-based communication with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for mobile automation
Devastating water leak drives move to improve sustainability
24 Vdc version, optionally available as battery powered device
Compact measuring devices with smaller process connections for the pharmaceutical industry
FDA-compliant polymer powder with longer service life ensures wear-resistant sheet metal
Cooperation will drive forward “Plug&Produce” based on the MTP and POL standard
The cryptography working group within the IETF standards organization (Internet Engineering Task Force) has chosen the Endress+Hauser-developed CPace protocol as a recommended method for use in internet standards.
As of the 1st of October, Procentec has become a member of the HMS group. HMS Industrial Networks AB has acquired 70% of all shares in the Dutch company Procentec B.V.
Plant proteins often form an essential part of vegetarian or vegan diet, which is why this product is in high demand. Several process steps are required to obtain high-purity plant proteins suitable for human consumption. One of the challenges is drying.
Digital transformation doesn’t have to be complex. The right approach can ensure technology investments deliver the results that matter with confidence, ease and speed. By Stuart Harris, Emerson
Paper forming machine for the production of sustainable portion packs wins in the category "Packaging Machines"
Systems Approach helps optimising operation of pumps
The guidelines for contract filling of nutritional supplements and cosmetics are strict. Fast and easy product changes, compliance with food and pharmaceutical standards, and high energy efficiency for sustainable resource conservation are among them.
If a packaging or processing line is no longer running at full capacity, a brief consultation with the general practitioner isn’t enough. What food and pharmaceutical producers need to keep their lines going at high output and product quality.
Digital Edition Download PDF
